The Utilization Report. Everything you need for Fantasy Football in Week 14
Volume is king in fantasy football, and this report will help you understand which players are due more or less according to their roles. It is a great way to know who is overperforming (sell high) and underperforming (buy low) based on historical data tied to metrics we know drive volume.
- Overall offense: Which teams are enabling winning volume and efficiency across game scripts
- Quarterbacks: How involved is each QB in the running game, and who is unlocking upside for their weapons
- Running backs: Which backs are handling early downs, short-yardage and passing downs
- Tight ends: Who is running enough routes and meeting critical targets per route thresholds
- Receivers: Which receivers are in the most routes and operating broadly within the offense
For this season, Fantasy Life has partnered with PFF to collaborate on the Utilization Report.
Get access to the full Utilization Report, all the data tables, and team-by-team analysis by subscribing to PFF+
Week 13 Takeaways
Waiver Wire
To make the waiver wire section of this column, a player must be rostered less than 50% of the time in typical leagues like Yahoo! or ESPN. If players are trending upwards in utilization or performance and are over that threshold, they will be found under the upgrade or buy-low section.
RB – James Cook
Cook registered season-highs in snaps (43%), rushing attempts (40%), route participation (38%), and target share (18%) in Week 13 against the Patriots.
| Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR |
| 1 | 5% | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0.2 |
| 2 | 26% | 48% | 7% | 3% | 33% | 20% | 0% | 36% | 0% | 5.3 |
| 3 | 11% | 6% | 9% | 9% | 71% | 7% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 8.0 |
| 4 | 3% | 0% | 5% | 3% | 50% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0.0 |
| 5 | 18% | 25% | 8% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 22% | 0% | 9.1 |
| 6 | 14% | 7% | 15% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0.8 |
| 8 | 25% | 20% | 21% | 4% | 14% | 17% | 0% | 29% | 0% | 8.6 |
| 9 | 23% | 21% | 23% | 12% | 40% | 13% | 0% | 9% | 20% | 5.3 |
| 10 | 17% | 22% | 10% | 0% | 0% | 15% | 0% | 11% | 0% | 2.2 |
| 11 | 25% | 33% | 9% | 8% | 67% | 33% | 0% | 11% | 0% | 8.6 |
| 12 | 18% | 9% | 18% | 14% | 56% | 13% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 3.8 |
| 13 | 43% | 40% | 38% | 18% | 40% | 17% | 0% | 38% | 33% | 16.5 |
| YTD | 17% | 19% | 11% | 5% | 36% | 13% | 0% | 11% | 2% | 5.7 |
The second-round rookie is outperforming Devin Singletary in most efficiency and grading metrics, so there is a chance he could hang onto this role expansion and possibly push for the lead job.
| PFF Rush Grade | Missed Tackles Forced per Attempt | Average Yards After Contact | 10-Plus Yard Attempt % | TPRR | |
| James Cook | 76.8 | 0.23 | 3.28 | 12% | 36% |
| Devin Singletary | 77.8 | 0.17 | 2.92 | 12% | 12% |
It is worth noting that Nyheim Hines also saw season-highs in Week 13 with a 31% snap share and 63% of snaps inside the 10-yard line. So we could be dealing with a three-way committee moving forward.
Cook needs to be rostered because he could become the lead option in a high-powered attack, but he will be tough to put into starting lineups on this one data point. He is a high-end RB4 with upside.
- FAB: 40%
RB – Zonovan Knight
Knight posted 16.5 fantasy points operating as the lead back with Michael Carter out. The undrafted rookie handled 55% of the snaps and 65% of the rushing work. In a surprise twist, he also accounted for 40% of the passing-down work and delivered another strong TPRR rate (21%).
It will undoubtedly cut into Knight’s workload when Carter returns, but we could see Carter takeover Ty Johnson’s role on passing downs. One thing is for sure: Bam has dusted James Robinson, who only played 11% of snaps with four carries.
The Jets want to run the football and Knight profiles as the best early-down option on a team that would like to demonstrate their physical prowess on the ground. He remains an RB3 but could quickly become an RB2 option if he can hold off Carter.
- FAB: 40%
RB – Jordan Mason
Mason was the only back other than Christian McCaffrey to get any work against the Dolphins, with an 18% snap share and 22% rush share. We can never be sure what Kyle Shanahan will do with his RB room, but the latest data point suggests Mason is the next man up, not Tyrion Davis-Price. We heard this story before – last season, Elijah Mitchell leapfrogged the higher draft-capital RB Trey Sermon.
McCaffrey is already dealing with a knee issue, and if he missed time, Mason would morph into a low-end RB2 with upside as the lead option in a committee.
Mason is a priority stash RB5.
- FAB: 15%
TE – Greg Dulcich
Dulcich delivered a season-high 35% target share against the Ravens, with Courtland Sutton knocked from the game early (hamstring) and Jerry Jeudy still working back from an injury (ankle). Many pass catchers fade away when given the chance to assert their dominance in situations like this, but the rookie’s ability to step up is a positive sign for his future – he could be a budding superstar.
The Broncos' offense is anemic, but options at TE are limited, making the rookie a viable option the rest of the way – especially if Sutton misses time. Many fantasy managers dumped Dulcich after three bad outings, he is available in 63% of Yahoo! Leagues.
- FAB: 15%
WR – Jahan Dotson
Dotson flashed with four TDs over the first four games this season. However, his TPRR never eclipsed 16%, and his YPRR data points were also lackluster.
He missed Weeks 5 to 9 and has been the odd man out until Week 13. Against the Giants’ man-heavy defense, he delivered a season-high 23% target share on his way to 16.4 fantasy points.
For the season, his 12% TPRR and 1.29 YPRR suggest he isn’t on the same plane as his rookie peers Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Christian Watson, and Drake London. However, Week 13 is a step in the right direction and makes him worth a stash in larger formats.
- FAB: 15%
RB – Joshua Kelley
Kelley surpassed Isaiah Spiller as the clear-cut No. 2 option behind Austin Ekeler against the Raiders. The third-year RB played 41% of snaps and handled 41% of the rushing attempts.
If Ekeler suffered an injury, Kelley would move into the RB2 conversation. He is a great stash option for the stretch run.
- FAB: 5%
Upgrades
RB – Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey’s utilization plummeted after the return of Elijah Mitchell, averaging only 32% (10.6) of the team’s rushing attempts over three games. However, with Mitchell on IR in Week 13, we saw CMC return to the type of dominance that makes him a top-three RB lock.
| Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR |
| 7 | 28% | 35% | 22% | 5% | 18% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 8.2 |
| 8 | 81% | 75% | 69% | 36% | 45% | 100% | 100% | 86% | 0% | 40.3 |
| 10 | 65% | 34% | 73% | 21% | 23% | 55% | 50% | 100% | 0% | 17.7 |
| 11 | 66% | 25% | 93% | 25% | 26% | 50% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 17.6 |
| 12 | 63% | 35% | 69% | 17% | 23% | 57% | 0% | 92% | 22% | 8.9 |
| 13 | 82% | 47% | 77% | 26% | 28% | 100% | 0% | 86% | 100% | 28.6 |
He has two outings with an 80%-plus snap share with the 49ers and has produced 40.3 and 28.6 fantasy points. Mitchell was unavailable in both games, and the 49ers don’t seem as interested in spelling McCaffrey with their other backup options.
McCaffrey is a high-end RB1 and is one of the few RBs capable of offsetting an Austin Ekeler or Josh Jacobs points barrage in the fantasy playoffs.
RB – D’Andre Swift
Swift registered his best fantasy outing since Week 1 with 21.1 points, and his underlying utilization aligns with the performance.
After regaining the lead passing-down role in Week 12, he took another step forward in Week 13, seizing the lead rushing role (45%) and eclipsing 50% route participation for the first time since Week 8.
| Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR |
| 1 | 67% | 54% | 66% | 8% | 12% | 50% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 26.5 |
| 2 | 51% | 21% | 57% | 15% | 24% | 0% | 0% | 93% | 100% | 16.7 |
| 3 | 41% | 21% | 49% | 11% | 18% | 10% | 0% | 71% | 44% | 7.6 |
| 8 | 54% | 26% | 57% | 15% | 24% | 38% | 0% | 88% | 82% | 14.3 |
| 9 | 16% | 6% | 28% | 19% | 57% | 0% | 0% | 36% | 0% | 8.0 |
| 10 | 31% | 21% | 30% | 8% | 22% | 20% | 33% | 22% | 50% | 8.2 |
| 11 | 31% | 14% | 32% | 14% | 33% | 40% | 40% | 25% | 14% | 12.2 |
| 12 | 34% | 17% | 34% | 22% | 50% | 11% | 0% | 73% | 67% | 8.3 |
| 13 | 51% | 45% | 51% | 11% | 18% | 38% | 50% | 63% | 67% | 21.1 |
| YTD | 32% | 19% | 34% | 10% | 25% | 17% | 15% | 49% | 43% | 13.7 |
The Lions led by four-plus points on 90% of snaps against the Jaguars, yet Swift took 50% of snaps in the first quarter and 49% in the first half. His bump in utilization didn’t come from a blowout game script where he took over for Jamaal Williams. Instead, it appears he is finally healthy. The third-year RB hasn’t been on the injury report for the last three games.
Despite battling an injury and limited snaps, Swift’s underlying data suggests we can expect big things in an expanded role. He is above the league average in all rushing efficiency metrics and boasts the No. 6 TPRR (25%) and No. 6 YPRR (1.57).
This is the explosive pass-catching back you targeted at the end of the first round of your fantasy drafts this season. Consider Swift a mid-range RB2 with RB1 upside moving forward. Better late than never!
WR – Terry McLaurin
Since Taylor Heinicke took over at QB in Week 7, McLaurin’s average target share is a heart-throbbing 31%, and he has four top-18 finishes and five top-30 outings.
| Week | Routes | TPRR | Targets | ADOT | Air Yards | EZ Tgts | 3rd/4th Down Targets | PA Targets | PPR |
| 1 | 94% | 7% | 8% | 18.3 | 20% | 0% | 10% | 33% | 13.8 |
| 2 | 89% | 15% | 17% | 12.9 | 25% | 0% | 30% | 43% | 12.2 |
| 3 | 90% | 18% | 23% | 16.2 | 45% | 0% | 17% | 0% | 16.2 |
| 4 | 94% | 14% | 16% | 16.0 | 31% | 33% | 23% | 17% | 3.5 |
| 5 | 98% | 14% | 17% | 9.5 | 18% | 0% | 11% | 33% | 12.6 |
| 6 | 100% | 16% | 19% | 6.5 | 19% | 100% | 40% | 50% | 8.2 |
| 7 | 97% | 24% | 26% | 13.3 | 48% | 25% | 31% | 38% | 18.3 |
| 8 | 92% | 22% | 28% | 13.6 | 62% | 0% | 25% | 13% | 16.6 |
| 9 | 100% | 21% | 32% | 9.4 | 38% | 0% | 33% | 71% | 10.6 |
| 10 | 97% | 34% | 44% | 16.2 | 65% | 50% | 67% | 45% | 20.8 |
| 11 | 83% | 26% | 27% | 17.5 | 49% | 0% | 14% | 67% | 9.6 |
| 12 | 83% | 32% | 29% | 12.8 | 41% | 33% | 44% | 17% | 9.3 |
| 13 | 94% | 27% | 32% | 10.6 | 42% | 100% | 38% | 25% | 24.5 |
| YTD | 93% | 20% | 23% | 13.3 | 38% | 26% | 28% | 33% | 13.6 |
During that span, he boasts the No. 5 PFF receiving grade (90.4), ranks No. 6 in YPRR (2.62), No. 12 in TPRR (26%), and has the fourth-most receiving yards (578).
Washington is no longer the pass-happy team we saw early in the season, ranking first in non-overtime rushing attempts per game (38) over the last four contests. This shift, paired with the up-and-down nature of Heinicke as a passer, keeps the fourth-year player from moving into the WR1 conversation.
McLaurin has a bye during Week 14, but he is a mid-range WR2 the rest of the way.
Downgrades
RB – Devin Singletary
Singletary has enjoyed an unexpectedly firm grip on the Bills backfield all season with a 69% snap share, but it appears that grip could be loosening.
In Week 13 against New England, James Cook (43%) and Nyheim Hines (31%) posted season-highs in snaps. Cook led the team in rushing attempts (40%), and both backs worked ahead of Singletary in LDD and two-minute situations.
There is a chance this is just a blip on the radar, but it could be the beginning of a dreaded three-way committee – something we have seen before in Buffalo.
Singletary downgrades from RB2 status to mid-range RB3 territory.
RB – Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wilson led the Dolphins backfield in each of his first three games, and had seemingly become the clear-cut No. 1 option. However, that halted in Week 13 against the 49ers, with the veteran limited to a 37% snap share and only 11% of the rushing attempts.
Raheem Mostert led the backfield in every meaningful utilization category, including short-yardage situations and passing downs.
Neither Miami RB is trustworthy heading into Week 14 – this is a fluid situation where the coaching staff could ride the hot hand.
Wilson plummets from a mid-range RB2 to a low-end RB3.
RB – Gus Edwards
After taking over 50% of the rushing attempts in Week 12, Edwards only managed a 27% share in Week 13. The powerful veteran RB didn’t play any on passing downs and finished the day with zero targets to go with his six rushing attempts.
J.K. Dobbins will return soon, and this is a backfield where recent history suggests we may not get a clear lead option.
Edwards is a low-end RB3.
WR – Skyy Moore
Moore is a player that many fantasy managers in deep formats have been holding onto because he has second-round draft capital, weak competition for targets, and plays in a pass-first offense with an elite QB.
And those were all great reasons to give the rookie a whirl in the back half of drafts or as a mid-season pickup when injuries hit the Chiefs. However, it is probably time to face reality.
The same reasons we loved Moore are why we can move on – he hasn’t been able to surpass Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Justin Watson for playing time, despite Kansas City’s need for pass catchers due to injuries.
Using historical breakout metrics like PFF receiving grades and route participation, Moore’s comps wouldn’t be impressive if the season ended today.
| Draft Round | Route Participation | PFF Receiving Grade | TPRR | YPRR | |
| Skyy Moore | 2 | 25% | 71.8 | 19% | 1.58 |
| Kenny Golladay | 3 | 45% | 68.1 | 17% | 1.66 |
| Mecole Hardman | 3 | 47% | 69.6 | 12% | 1.84 |
| Rondale Moore | 2 | 40% | 70.7 | 24% | 1.64 |
| Dante Pettis | 2 | 44% | 69.8 | 15% | 1.79 |
| Denzel Mims | 2 | 43% | 70.4 | 17% | 1.45 |
| Donte Moncrief | 3 | 35% | 70.8 | 18% | 1.74 |
| Justin Hunter | 2 | 35% | 67.8 | 19% | 1.67 |
| Jeremy Kerley | 5 | 37% | 67.9 | 20% | 1.40 |
| Vincent Brown | 3 | 36% | 68.6 | 17% | 1.46 |
Moore remains a deep-stash option in certain formats. Still, it is okay to let go with five teams on bye in Week 14. If you play dynasty, selling high to a manager who has good vibes due to the KC offense is the percentage play.
Get access to the full Utilization Report, all the data tables, and team-by-team analysis by subscribing to PFF+
Data notes and acronyms:
- 1st/2nd = First and second downs
- LDD = long down and distance (third and fourth down with three or more yards to go)
- SDD = short down and distance (second, third and fourth down with two or fewer yards to go)
- i5 = inside the five-yard line
- 2MIN = two-minute offense (hurry-up offense)
- Close = score within three points
- Lead = leading by four points or more
- Trail = trailing by four points or more
- Plays = penalties included for utilization splits and rates
- Pass Play = all dropbacks (i.e., attempts, sacks and scrambles)
- ADOT = average depth of target
- Air Yards = ADOT multiplied by targets
- TTT = average time to throw
- PA = play action
- PA Targets = percentage of player's targets that came using play action
- Fantasy finishes = through Sunday night game
- YPRR = yards per route run
- TPRR = targets per route run
- EZ = end zone
- TOP = Time of possession
- Pass vs. Run Splits = based on the percentage of time a team throws or passes
- FAB = Free agent budget (based on home leagues; adjust percentages in more competitive formats)
